All of the degree programs I've come across are M.A. programs.  I, however,
decided to enter the museum field after I already had an M.A. and am
wondering what Ph.D. programs might be available.  I am interested in all
aspects of the museum field dealing with understanding and improving the
visitor's experience - which can fall into any of what I refer to as the
three Es: Education, Evaluation research, and Exhibit development.  What
programs are out there and which ones will be the most useful in my career?
Thank you in advance for your insights!


>I attended the Museum Studies M.A. program at The George Washington
>University.  I'd be hard pressed to say whether the practical or
>theoretical was stressed more.  An important (and invaluable) part of the
>program was to take 6 credits of internships in a museum.  Also, most all
>of the classes are taught by museum professionals with real life stories
>to tell.  I felt that the program was especially strong in collections
>management.  The Director of the program when I attended was Marie
>Malaro who wrote A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections
>which is one of the most widely used books in the field of collections
>management.  Ms. Malaro has since retired, but the program structure is
>still the same.  Also, all conservation classes were taught at the
>Smithsonian Institution and were very "hands-on."  In summary, for
>collections management, I would highly rate the program at GWU.
>
>
>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>Laura McMann Mahoney
>Grant/Contract Specialist
>SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
>Office of Sponsored Projects
>Voice: (202) 287-2170;  FAX: (202) 287-3707
>E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
>
>
>>>> Kimberly Jane Koons <[log in to unmask]> 04/01/98 01:30pm
>>>>
>Since the subject of museum studies programs has come up, I wonder if
>list
>members would be willing to offer opinions about what they feel are the
>particular strengths of various programs, and/or the qualities which
>distinguish one from another.  I, for instance, would be interested in
>knowing which programs are especially strong (or not) at training future
>Collections Managers.  It seems to me--though it can be difficult to
>tell from public advertisements--that some programs are focusing
>primarily on theoretical matters, while others stress the practical.
>
>What are your thoughts?
>
>Kim Koons, Lilly Library
>Indiana University


Jodi Gronborg, Exhibit Developer
Chicago Academy of Sciences, The Nature Museum

*Opinions expressed are my own and may not necessarily be that of my employer.